BÌNH ĐỊNH — The Chairman of the People’s Committee of the south central province of Bình Định on Tuesday approved a proposal for a solar power project in Phù Mỹ District.

People’s Committee Chairman Hồ Quốc Dũng gave the green light to the VNĐ1.44 trillion (US$63.36 million) project, which will be situated in Trà Ổ lagoon in Mỹ Châu Commune.

The project will be constructed thanks to an investment from the Việt Nam Renewable Energy JSC, and will be spread out over 60ha of water and 0.6ha of land.

The plant, which has a design capacity of 50 MWp, is scheduled to be completed and become operational by the end of the second quarter of 2019.

It is expected to contribute to the national grid by helping satisfy local demand for power and facilitating the development of industry and service, transforming the economic structure of the locality.

Earlier in April, construction of a Japanese-funded wind and solar power project began in Bình Định’s Quy Nhơn City.

Fujiwara Bình Định Co. Ltd., which is investing in the 100MW project, said it was committed to staying on schedule and contributing to the local economy.

With a total investment of US$63.69 million, construction is set to undergo two phases. In the first phase, a 50MW solar plant will be built over 60ha of land on the southern side of Phương Mai mountain in the Nhơn Hội economic zone. It is expected to become operational in February 2019.

The second phase will see a 50MW wind-power plant constructed on the Núi Bà mountainside in Phù Cát District. Spanning 200 to 250ha, the facility is expected to operate by 2020. — VNS